Day 1 - The Never Ending Journey

Afternoon started with a train to LGW well in time to catch the National Express Bus to LHR which, other than the odd moron complaining that the bus wouldn’t take them directly to their home, the journey was very plain sailing.

LHR bag drop was a nightmare, a good 500 people queuing just at the Emirates desks, apparently it was such a busy day that Emirates were offering people a free flight if they chose to travel another day, not a chance mate I’m off on Holibobs!

The first half of the journey was on the Emirates A380 which is an absolute beast, only the second time I’ve flown on one but I was sat on the 2nd row so got a really good idea of just how vast the plane is! We arrived on time at Dubai at 0230 in the morning and at 34 degree heat!!!!

No time to go round duty free so headed straight through connections and found my gate and just sat there for a good few hours attempting to get some sleep to no avail.

Second flight was the B777 a much older plane and a lot less swanky, food was good though and there was a lot on the entertainment system which was a relief as after 15 hours of flying I managed about 20 mins of sleep. A really odd sensation happened as we crossed the equator. The sky was blue and the sun was still out on our approach, once across it was almost as if there had been an eclipse the sun disappeared and darkness appeared!

We arrived on time and proceeded to spend the next 2.5 hours waiting for my bag! After a 15 hour journey and at 1 in the morning I am not the best person to be around! Finally it emerged to a cheer from me and I called my taxi driver who had patiently been waiting for me for 2 hours whilst I stood there questioning the demise of my suitcase.

An hour later and many a hair raising close call with other cars, mopeds, vans and dogs we arrived at the hotel. 2am and I’m ready for bed!!